Role of Adipokines in the Pathophysiology of Obesity-Related Hypertension Among Adults in Kano Metropolis

Adipokines, particularly leptin and adiponectin, mediate the link between adipose tissue dysfunction and cardiovascular pathology in obesity, yet their roles in obesity-related hypertension among West Africans remain poorly documented. This study examined the relationship between serum leptin, adiponectin, and blood pressure parameters in obese hypertensive adults in Kano Metropolis, North West Nigeria. A cross-sectional analytical design enrolled 120 participants across four groups: obese hypertensive, obese normotensive, non-obese hypertensive, and healthy controls. Serum leptin and adiponectin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Anthropometric indices, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure, and insulin resistance indices were also assessed. ANOVA, Tukey post-hoc, and multivariate regression were applied. Results showed the highest leptin levels in the obese hypertensive group, with adiponectin demonstrating an inverse pattern. Leptin was independently associated with systolic blood pressure after adjusting for body mass index. Adiponectin was inversely associated with diastolic blood pressure. The leptin-to-adiponectin ratio was highest in obese hypertensives and correlated with insulin resistance. This study provides original evidence for adipokine-mediated cardiovascular risk mechanisms in a northern Nigerian obese population, a previously understudied context. Adipokine profiling as a clinical risk stratification tool is proposed for hypertension management programmes in Kano. Keywords: adipokines, leptin, adiponectin, obesity-hypertension, Kano.